The Night Is Nearly Over

By Canaan Chapman

Do you ever think about how much of our lives we spend waiting? We wait in line, wait for the light to turn green, wait for test results, or any number of other things. Not all waiting feels the same though. Waiting in line at the DMV can be brutal, but the line for a roller coaster can be electric. A stoplight turning red when you’re running late can drag on, but one that turns green as you approach feels like magic. Waiting for a call from the doctor can linger with anxiety, while news of a new venture can be exciting.

It can be like this spiritually too. Let’s remember what this season has been all about.

Two thousand years ago, the promised Savior and Son of God, Jesus, was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Jesus’s first advent led him to live and die for the Father’s glory and the salvation of His creation. Those who confess His lordship and believe in His resurrection will be saved.

For those who trust in Him, we’re in a kind of holding pattern awaiting His second advent; we’ve seen but are waiting to see in full. Each of us must decide how we’ll spend this time. How will the first advent shape how we wait for the second?

Some people will fearfully wait, like someone who hears a knock at the door but isn’t prepared to answer. Anxiety boils up, leaving them frozen in place. The one who waits in fear lives in dread—because they don’t know Him or they misunderstand Him as only a harsh judge. For the fearful, our yearly celebration of the first advent reminds us to step into His grace and peace as we await His second advent.

Some will wait indifferently. When Jesus comes knocking, they may be so distracted by life they barely notice. Maybe this person is caught in a work-play cycle, lulled into a meaninglessness stupor as life runs on autopilot. For the indifferent, our yearly celebration of the first advent reawakens us from our drowsiness as we await His second advent.

Yet some are ready and wait with hope. Listen to the mindset Peter challenged us to take: “with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1Peter 1:13). For the expectant, our yearly celebration of the first advent reminds us to keep looking forward to what is to come in His second advent!

Advent is our annual reminder that the night won’t last. Christ has come, and Christ will come again. The question is not if the dawn will come but how we will meet it. So let’s be people of the morning, ready in mind, sober in heart, and full of hope in the One who is coming soon (Romans 13:12)!